Our community can also take pride in being the home of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s new Center for Innovation.

The futuristic $35 million facility, which opened Monday with much fanfare in northern Suffolk, puts Suffolk at the forefront in technological innovation that will protect Americans at home and abroad.

Lockheed’s new hexagon-shaped 50,000-square-foot building is an &uot;idea lab where we can collaborate with our customers on the art of the possible,&uot; said Stanton D. Sloane, the company’s executive vice president, speaking to approximately 60 invited guests during Monday’s dedication and grand-opening ceremony.

Company and military leaders joined Gov. Mark R. Warner, Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va.; and Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., at the ribbon-cutting event.

One must not forget the economic impact of this facility and others, which last year amounted to some $400 million according to the governor. With the threats being faced in today’s world, that number is sure to increase quickly, which should benefit all residents of our city.